Topic
Every decision we've filed under Criminal.
The Eleventh Circuit held that Google's automated hash-value matching protocol constitutes a valid private search under the Fourth Amendment. The court affirmed the conviction but vacated and remanded the sentence due to an erroneous application of a sentencing enhancement.
The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a wrongful death claim against child welfare workers who failed to prevent a child's death while in his mother's custody. The court held that the workers' investigative errors did not create a constitutional danger or shock the conscience under the state-created danger exception.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment for prison officials sued over the Eighth Amendment death of an inmate. The court held that the officers did not act with the deliberate indifference required to establish a constitutional violation.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion to suppress evidence obtained during a traffic stop. The court held that snow obstructing a license plate provided reasonable suspicion for the stop and that subsequent inquiries were justified by the driver's evasive behavior.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a ninety-six-month sentence for a convicted felon possessing a firearm. The court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in imposing an upward variance based on the defendant's dangerous conduct.
The Seventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion to suppress evidence obtained via a pole camera installed on a public utility pole. The court held that the defendant lacked a reasonable expectation of privacy in the activities visible through a large gap in a fence surrounding his commercial property.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion to dismiss an illegal reentry indictment because the defendant failed to exhaust administrative remedies. The court held that a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel regarding an immigration appeal must be presented to the Board of Immigration Appeals before it can be raised in federal court.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed the convictions and sentences of three defendants involved in a drug and firearm conspiracy. The court rejected challenges regarding the search warrant, joint trial procedures, and the admission of digital evidence.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a second motion for compassionate release. The court held that even if extraordinary and compelling reasons existed, the statutory factors counseled against granting relief.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Antonio Dixson for drug trafficking and firearm offenses. The court held that a law enforcement officer with specialized experience may testify as an expert on general drug trafficking practices without being an active participant in the specific investigation.